Through their nerve-wracking races, NASCAR has shot up the adrenaline levels of race lovers for generations. However, it’s not rocket science that NASCAR racing has peculiar flaws. Overdependence rarely brings long-term satisfaction, whether in life or sports. As far as NASCAR is concerned, the sport has been banking heavily on sponsors for some time.

At a time when the economic model of the sport is somewhat a hard nail to crack, sponsorships can be unpredictable. This results in a strange situation for the competing teams, because sometimes the money is there and sometimes it’s not. On the receiving end of these uncertainties are the drivers.

Many who’ve cherished NASCAR racing, including racers, have flagged these serious concerns inside NASCAR. But this time it’s coming from someone particularly well-known for speaking his mind no matter what. The contents of what this former driver has to say might come as a bombshell for some!

The unfortunate list of drivers who were victims of a lack of funding

The NASCAR insider who lashed out at the authorities is none other than Kenny Wallace. In a discussion posted on his official YouTube channel, the 61-year-old racing veteran talked about some of the drivers who unfortunately got the boot from NASCAR because of funding. Wallace said, “Oh that’s just right away. Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte. Man, that’s right away those are my buddies. Uh, Elliott Sadler.” 

But the driver-turned-commentator didn’t just end there. The discussion had more directness and revelations to come. Shockingly, he also revealed, ”Kenny Schrader once told me he says don’t worry Herman, they’ll let you know when it’s over. and it’s not ‘they’, it’s the racing gods.” The shock had to be channeled somewhere. Wallace further started recalling the wonderful careers of some of these veteran racers. ”Jeff Burton, Bobby Labonte, Matt Kenseth these guys are champions except Jeff Burton, but Burton could’ve been a champion,” Wallace added.

One driver whose downfall was particularly disheartening for Wallace was his good friend Matt Kenseth. The 2009 and 2012 Daytona 500 winner tried to bring his career back on track many times and Wallace was witness to it from afar. Recalling the sorry state for Kenseth, Wallace said, ”Matt Kenseth, I mean Matt Kenseth. You know it’s like he’s gone. And Matt has come out several times saying I wasn’t ready to quit. but did you notice there was no teams lined up. But yeah, they did the feel-good deal like a year or two later we’re going to bring Matt back to help this hurt driver and it just never turned.”

The manner and the circumstances in which some of these drivers had to leave the racetracks and hang up their helmets were just appalling. Comments like these turn the old wounds of NASCAR fans fresh once again.

The unfortunate end to NASCAR careers: A trip back in time

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The juncture at which Matt Kenseth had to give away racing back in 2017 was crucial. It seemed that things were about to go right for the No. 20 of the Joe Gibbs Racing. But the devastating news for Kenseth came up as no surprise when JGR revealed they had failed to achieve a sponsorship deal for him.

The much younger Erik Jones, later on, replaced Kenseth as their new no.20. But Kenseth has some fighting spirit left in him. He returned as a part-time racer for Roush Fenway Racing and then at the Chip Ganassi Racing in 2020. But the 2020 season proved too much for him. He decided to bid farewell to the racetrack once and for all.

Bobby Labonte’s story is a bit similar too. He decided to retire at the end of the 2016 season. Just like Kenseth, he too, returned to the tracks soon. He participated in the Whelen Euro Series and SMART Modified Tour. But it proved too much for the 2000 Cup Series champion. His health condition worsened, including kidney cancer, appendix rupture, and lung issues. To add more to the situation, the lack of a deal on the table meant that he had to stay away from racetracks forever.

Kenseth and Labonte’s career end is just the tip of the iceberg, there are more such names. Can you recall any? What are your thoughts on Kenny Wallace’s comments? Do let us know in the comments.